The Age of Reason and The American Independence Movement
THE ENLIGHTENMENT REACHES
AMERICA!
The mind once enlightened
cannot again become dark.”
“
~Thomas Paine~
What does this
mean?
The Enlightenment

The enlightenment was an intellectual movement
that began in Europe.
 People
began to challenge traditional thought in
religion, politics, and society
 Also known as the Age of Reason: people believed all
things could be explained reason, from science to
society.
Science


Isaac Newton discovered
that there are natural laws
governing the Universe
(Gravity)
Philosophers began to
apply these Natural Laws
and order to society
John Locke




English Philosopher
Believed all people are born
with God given rights: Life,
Liberty, and Property.
Government is created for the
purpose of protecting those
natural rights.
If the government fails to
protect its citizen’s rights they
have the right to overthrow the
government! (sound familiar?)
Voltaire



French Philosopher
Believed in Freedom of
Speech
Pushed for religious
tolerance
Montesquieu



French Philosopher
The best type of
government is not a
monarchy
Believed in a Separation
of Powers & a system of
checks and balances



Judicial
Legislative
executive
Ideas Spread To The Colonies
New Enlightenment ideas of reason and tolerance
reach the colonies in America.
 Philosophies of natural laws and order alter
tradition within the colonies.
 Some begin to challenge the Divine Right Rule of
the Monarchy
 Ideals are applied to religion which sparks a new
movement within the colonies.

The Great Awakening!


Colonist had become less religious than the original colonist
who came to America to practice their religion.
Ministers traveled throughout the colonies preaching that
inner religious emotion was more important than outward
religious behavior.




They tried to revive religious enthusiasm among the colonies!
Changed colonial culture, religions argued and split apart.
Some of the new religious groups welcomed women,
African Americans, and Native Americans.
The Great Awakening encouraged ideas of equality and the
right to challenge authority.
Jonathan Edwards:
He was a powerful minister, who
terrified his listeners with images
of God's anger, but promised
they would be saved.
 His most famous speech
was called, “Sinners in the
Hands of an Angry God”


“[the Devil]... stands waiting for
them, like greedy hungry lions
that see their prey, and expect to
have it...”


over 100 people were converted
in one day!
Edwards is credited to beginning
the Revival
George Whitefield



Drew in thousands of
followers with his
powerful sermons
Raised funds to start a
home for orphans
Came over from
England to preach.
Effects Of The Great Awakening On The Colonies:


It was the first National
Movement and it unified
them!
Sermons preached of
ALL people are equal in
the eyes of God

People began to question
slavery, discrimination
against other races, and
women.



Church populations
increased by 20-50,000
people during this revival.
Created more religious
tolerance within the
colonies.
Altered colonist’s belief of
Divine Right Rule

Colonies began to feel a
greater need to govern
themselves.
The Great Awakening And The Enlightenment

Great American thinkers are influenced by these
movements and begin to question if England is
protecting their rights or if they need to be
overthrown.
Enlightenment
The Great Awakening